Ahead of their opening concert on Friday September 18, we meet the 33 members of the orchestra to find out more about them.

Robin Kennard - Principal, Bassoon

1) Why did you choose your particular instrument?

I went to a concert with my mum. I really liked the sound of one of the instruments. She said it was an oboe. And when I got my first oboe, I took it out of its case and asked where the rest of it was. It turned out that I actually liked the bassoon.

2) How old were you when you started having lessons?

I was about fourteen, which is quite late for a professional musician.

3) If not a professional musician, what else would you like to be and why?

An airline pilot! I had a couple of flying lessons once. Apparently you can tell if you’re flying well, because you don’t feel sick.

4) What - if anything - makes the Royal Northern Sinfonia special?

Everyone is a quality person as well as being a quality musician. They’re all very unselfish, and they put the music first rather than themselves.

5) What do you like about the North East?

First and foremost – my wife, who’s from the North East! I find it the most welcoming part of the UK. The people are very warm and very straightforward.

6) Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

The Holly Bush Inn in the Tarset valley, which is about 300 years old if not more. It’s really lovely.

7) What should we look out for in Royal Northern Sinfonia’s new season?

It’s great that there are themes to the new season, around Mozart and Sibelius and early music. It means we can tell the stories of the music and it’s a really good place for people who are interested in classical but have never been to a concert before to get involved.

8) Do you have a favourite pop song (if different to the above)?

I’m a fan of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. So one of theirs.

9) What do you best like to do away from music?

Golf, gardening and spending time with our children and grandchildren.

10) Which classical composer has - or had - the X Factor?

I couldn’t choose one. Beethoven. Mozart. Oh, and Gluck, because the way he wrote for singers was so passionate. It bared the soul, how he wrote. It was groundbreaking.